WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR TODDLER SCREAMS

Believe it or not, your toddler’s volume isn’t turned up high to annoy you, but because she’s exploring the power of the voice, and experimenting with what she can do with it.

And why does she always let rip when you’re at the supermarket or big hall? It’s because, there’s a lovely echoing effect when you scream in big open space!

Some toddlers scream whenever they want their parents attention it’s their way of saving, “Hey, look at me!” others scream when they want something they can’t have, such as a biscuit or a friend’s toy. In that case the shrieking means, “I want my way. Give it .to me now!”

Shouting at your toddler to lower her voice won’t help. It’ll just send the message that whoever shouts loudest wins. Your best bet is to avoid situation that tempt your toddler to raise her voice and to divert her attention when she does scream Here are some ideas:

                                  

Pick toddler-friendly item and places

Whenever you can, work around your toddler and her sleep, and food needs. Try to make sure she’s well rested and head a bite to eat before you leave the house. If you were tired and hungry, you wouldn’t have the patience for shopping, either.

When you’re out with your toddler, stay away from quiet, intimate or formal places. Instead, go where other families go.

Ask her to use her “indoor voice”

If your toddler’s screaming because she’s happy, try not to comment or criticize. But if it’s really bothering you ask her to use her indoor voice instead. Lower your voice to a whisper so she has to be quiet to hear you and calmly say, “I can’t stand that screaming, darling. It’s giving mummy a headache.”

Make a game out of it

Indulge her needs to be loud by saying, “let’s both shout as loud as we can,” then join her in letting rip. Afterwards turn down the volume by saying, “Now it’s time to see whose whisper is quietest.”

Acknowledge her feelings

If your toddler’s screaming because she wants, your attention, ask yourself whether she’s genuinely uncomfortable or overwhelmed. If you think the environment you’re in is too much for her, finish what you’re doing and leave fast. If shopping at a busy supermarket or market is the problem, visit at off-peak times, go to smaller shops for a while, or shops online.

If you think she’s just bored or grizzly, acknowledge what she’s feeling, say calmly, “I know you want to go home and we will in a few minutes, once we’re finished, “and push on. She will be comforted that you know she feels, and you’ll also help her learn how to put her feelings into words.

Keep her occupied

Make trips out more fun for your toddler by engaging her in an activity. Here are two tactics to try:

·         Play a game

·         Offer toys and snacks

Finally, ignore the onlookers. For many mums, the hardest part of coping with a toddler who loves to scream is brushing off other people’s judgmental looks. If you’re somewhere such as a library or a quiet restaurant and your child’s screaming is disruptive, take her outside .But in a busy Supermarket or shopping mall, let them look. They’ll get over it!

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